Peach tree named &#39;Snow Sprite&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features; 
     1. A regular and productive bearer of large size, clingstone fruit.
 
2. Fruit with an attractive skin color.
 
3. Fruit holding firm on the tree 7 to 8 days after maturity (shipping ripe).
 
4. Fruit with a mild, sweet, subacid flavor.
 
5. Vigorous, upright growth of tree.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Snow Sprite’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach and nectarine trees, which areknown to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Red Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. PlantPat. No. 1,060), ‘Red Wing’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 621), ‘SugarLady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,532), ‘O'Henry’ Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 2,964), ‘May Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794),‘Rich Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290), ‘Sweet Dream’ Peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,176) and our proprietary non-patented peach seedlingselections ‘233LK471’ and ‘373LH55’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.as a first generation cross between two proprietary non-patented peachseedlings with the field identification numbers ‘233LK471’ and‘373LH55’. The seed parent (233LK471) originated from crosses betweenthe following varieties; ‘Red Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,060), ‘Red Wing’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 621), ‘Sugar Lady’ Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,532), ‘O'Henry’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964)and ‘May Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794). The pollen parent(373LH55) originated from crosses between the following varieties;‘O'Henry’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964), ‘Sugar Lady’ Peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,532); ‘Rich Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290) and‘Sweet Dream’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,176). A large group of thesefirst generation seedlings were planted and maintained on their own rootsystem, during which time we recognized the desirable trees and fruitcharacteristics and selected it in 2003 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2003 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemagaurd’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and is a productive and regular bearer oflarge, white flesh, clingstone fruit that has a mild, sweet, subacidflavor and excellent eating quality. The fruit is further characterizedby having firm flesh with the ability to remain firm on the tree 7-8days past maturity (shipping ripe), attractive red skin color and beingrelatively uniform in size and maturity throughout the tree. Incomparison to its seed parent (233LK471), the new variety is moreproductive and matures approximately 20 days later. In comparison to itspollen parent (373LH55) the fruit of the new variety has white insteadof yellow flesh and matures approximately 20 days later. In comparisonto the commercial variety ‘Snowfall’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,568)the fruit of the new variety matures approximately 6 days earlier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 10 year old tree and the colors, are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of10 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies slightly with soil type, fertility of soil            and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 8 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, pruning to vase shape desirable for            sunlight penetration. to center of tree to enhance fruit            color and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 900 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 54.6 cm at 22.9 cm above            ground on a 10 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 2/4 to 10YR 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 13.5 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 32 in a 25.8 square cm section.            Average length 5.0 mm. Average width 1.9 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 5/8 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 8/4. Mature            growth varies from 7.5YR 3/4 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age            of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 145.9 mm. Average width 43.8 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 12.5 mm. Average width 1.7 mm.            Longitudinally grooved, surface glabrous. Color varies from            2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 7/6.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — medium. Average length            1.3 mm. Average diameter 0.7 mm. Number varies from 1 to 6,            average number 4. Located primarily on the base of the leaf            blade and the upper portion of the petiole. Color varies            from 2.5GY 5/4 to 2.5GY 5/6.        -   Stipules.—None present at time of measurement.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/2. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color varies            from 2.5GY 8/2 to 5GY 7/2.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 18.8 mm. Average diameter 9.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California.        -   Density.—Medium dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.6 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 2.5GY 5/8. Surface glabrous.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 7.5RP 6/12.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 2, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 12, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 22.3 mm. Average diameter            42.8 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 23.6 mm. Average width 16.5 mm. Shape            varies from elliptic to orbicular. Apex — rounded. Base —            rounded to somewhat truncate. Margin — sinuate, slightly            cupped. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color varies            from 5RP 7/6 to 5RP 9/2, fades with age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Average            length 5.9 mm. Average width 5.1 mm. Shape — ovate, apex            rounded. Margin — entire. Surface — upper surface glabrous,            lower surface pubescent. Color — upper surface varies from            5GY 4/6 to 2.5R 3/6. Lower surface varies from 2.5R 2/4 to            5R 2/4.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 40. Average filament            length 16.2 mm. On average, the stamens are below the height            of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/ (white) to            10R 3/10. Anther color varies from 7.5R 4/10 to 10R 3/10.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 5Y 7/8 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface — pubescent. Average length            19.4 mm. Position of stigma an average of 0.8 mm below the            anthers. Color varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY 7/6.        -   Fragrance.—Very slight.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 7/6.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.4 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY. Surface glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 30, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 6, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 70.3 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 78.9 mm. Average weight 269.8            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped, extent varies slightly between            fruit.        -   Apex.—Varies from rounded to slight tip.        -   Base.—Slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 6.9 mm. Average diameter 12.5 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 9.9 mm. Average diameter 3.7 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5Y 7/8 to 10Y 7/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, holds firm on the tree 7 to 8 days past            maturity (shipping ripe).        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, mild, sweet, subacid flavor.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 14.4°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 34.8 mm. Average width 24.6 mm.            Average depth 18.6 mm. Color varies from 5R 2/2 to 7.5R 2/8.        -   Color.—Varies from 10Y 9/2 to 10YR 9/1, with 10R 9/2            bleeding outward from the pit cavity.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 9/2 to 7.5YR 9/2.            Overspread with 5R 3/6 to 5R 7/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 33.9 mm. Average width 24.0 mm.            Average thickness 17.9 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.4 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to            elongated. One furrow on each side of suture.        -   Sides.—Unequal with one side extending slightly further from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 5R 2/4 to 7.5R 2/4 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Average length 18.3 mm. Average width 11.4 mm. Average            depth 6.4 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5YR 3/6 to 7.5YR 4/8.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 2 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown or appreciable loss of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or bruising of    flesh during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, (Prunus persica)substantially as illustrated and described.